The Nation Newspaper

Category: Maritime

  • Govt loses over $25b yearly to oil theft, sea piracy

    • West Africa’s 5.6 million illegal weapons in Nigeria

    The Federal Government loses about $25 billion yearly to oil theft, sea piracy and poaching, The Nation has learnt.

    A breakdown showed that $800 million is lost to poaching, $9 billion to piracy and $15.5 billion to oil theft.

    The rate of pollution of the waters from Lagos to the oil-producing Southsouth is also high.

    Speaking with The Nation after presenting a paper on the Legality of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and its Protocols on the partnership between Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Air Force, Matthew Egbadon, a former staff of NIMASA said the amount the country is losing is huge. He called for the sharing of information by the security agencies to stem criminalities on the waters and make it safe.

    He  raised the alarm that over 70 per cent of about eight million illegal arms and ammunition in West Africa are in Nigeria. He urged the government to pay attention to policing of the waters because of the huge number of arms and ammunition in circulation.

    Egbadon urged security agencies to collaborate to stem the tide.

    Investigations, however, revealed that while NIMASA is collaborating with other government agencies to end criminalities on the waters, the agency is seriously handicapped when it comes to the issue of pollution.

    NIMASA, it was learnt, has the responsibility to stop dumping of wastes in the water and its pollution; illegal bunkering; human trafficking; illegal fishing; oil-theft; pipeline vandalism; smuggling of small arms and ammunition; piracy and armed robbery at the sea among others.

    NIMASA’s Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi has vowed to fight piracy, prevent and mitigate the effects of pollution, develop human capacity and ensure safety of vessels. All these, he said, are geared toward the growth and development of the maritime sector.

    Akpobolokemi also said NIMASA as the maritime regulatory agency  owes the international community the obligation to ensure the safety of their vessels, crew and cargoes in order to foster trade between Nigeria and the rest of the world.

    The NIMASA boss noted that the importance of the security agencies to the development of the nation’s maritime sector and thanked them for their cooporation.

    He commended the officers and men of the Nigerian Navy and Air Force for their efforts in combating piracy and pledged the agency’s support and partnership to help them effectively carry out , its day-to-day operations.

    “Piracy is capable of crippling the nation’s economy. Since shipping largely contributes to the growth of any economy, the economy cannot thrive where piracy activities are carried out,” he said.

    He said he was happy that the management of the Nigerian Navy, has created the Central Naval Command. He noted that it would help to checkmate all forms of illegalities in the maritime domain.

  • Customs loses over N25b to duty waivers

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) lost over N25.8 billion to waivers and exemption between January and May, The Nation has learnt.

    The Federal Government was said to have granted the waivers and exemptions to mining, construction, power, agriculture and health concerns.

    Sources said the Customs was unable to collect the revenue on the items on which there were  waivers, adding that it lost N55.96 billion, N55.34 billion and N59.42 billion to import waivers in 2011, 2012 and last year.

    But, an official of the Ministry of Finance, who asked not to be named, said the Federal Government granted the waivers because of the need to improve the agriculture/mining sectors and medical services, in addition to increasing power generation, promoting family planning, and raising the standard of education.

    A source said Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited got N10.5 billion waiver, it is the highest beneficiary.

    A breakdown of the amount, it was learnt, showed that N6.96 billion was waived for Indorama on machinery, equipment and spare parts; the balance was waived on fertiliser catalysts and chemical pile.

    Chevron Nigeria Limited is the second highest beneficiary with N4.87 billion waived on machinery, equipment and pipelines; followed by Galaxy Backbone, with N2.49 billion on Information and Communications Technology equipment.

    United Cement Company of Nigeria and NIPCO Plc also got waivers of N1.91 billion and N1.02 billion for the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts.

    Other major beneficiaries are the Borno State Government, which got N984.79 million waiver for agricultural machinery and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without borders), N568 million for medical supplies.

    Justifying the waivers, the official said they were incentives used to support the private sector because of some of the regulatory challenges in the domestic business environment.

    According to him, the sectors that benefited from waivers are hospitality, power, aviation, agricultural machinery, solid minerals equipment, gas-using equipment, steel and manufacturing.

    “There are also additional programmes, such as the Export Expansion Grant Scheme designed to promote non-oil exports. These sectors are seen as strategic areas, which can stimulate growth, support diversification of the Nigerian economy, and create jobs for Nigerians.

    “In the past, waivers were granted to individual businesses in an approach that resulted in rent-seeking behaviours and an uneven playing field for other businesses. It was precisely the need to stop such a discretionary approach that led to reforms by the Economic Management Team under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “A sector-wide waiver policy was introduced to provide specific incentives for some strategic, job-creating sectors. Under this regime, all businesses in a sector have access to the same incentives.

    “In addition, some waivers and exemptions make up for gaps in our economy; for example, waivers to bring in vehicles for sporting events and conferences,” the official said.

    When asked to speak on the implication of the waivers on the amounts that should go to the Federation Account and the seven per cent revenue that must accrue to Customs, he said: “We have to weigh the balance between putting money into the Federation Account, collecting Customs revenues and providing jobs for the army of the youth in the country by providing the necessary incentives to private sector operators to stimulate growth and development. The government felt it has responsibility to perform in terms of job creation and see to the local production of some of the goods we consume as nation.”

  • Customs generates N6.4b in six months

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone ‘B’, generated over N6.4 billion between January and June.

    The amount represents 74.51 per cent of the total revenue target of the command.

    The Customs zonal coordinator, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Ade Dosumu, said between January and June, the Zone generated N6,801,605,489.92, which is more  than N4,442,178,638.35 generated last year.

    Dosumu spoke when the Customs’ Deputy Comptroller-General in-charge of Research and Policy, Mr.  Augustine Chukwuma Nwosu, visited the zone.

    He told the visiting Customs chief that the Zone is strategic because of the vast area it covers, which has  inland container terminals, excise factories and international airports.

    The zone’s success, Dosumu said, followed the collaboration and good relationship with stakeholders; synergy with other security agencies; good relationship with the host communities; effective supervision and sensitisation of officers to avoid any form of revenue leakages.

    Added was introduction of Pre-Arrival Assessment Report, PAAR by the Controller-General, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi.

    “Despite its highly rated performance, Zone B of Nigeria Customs Service faces enormous challenges, which include the need for additional Customs Procedure Code (CPC) in some of the Area Commands within the Zone. Zone B also lacks the needed logistics to maintain scanning sites. Moreso, due to security challenges in the Zone, the revenue generation capacity is grossly affected.

    “Mob attacks on officers at dangerous borders within the Zone remain a threat to smooth operation, coupled with incessant strikes by insurgents in most areas covered by Zone B,” he said.

    He, however, said “despite daunting constraints, officers of the Zone have not been deterred in the pursuit of their statutory responsibilities.

    He added: “The officers and men of the Zone are so determined to pursue the goals of maximum revenue collection and suppression of smuggling with commitment in line with the efforts of the Comptroller-General of Customs and his management team.”

    Also, the Area Comptroller of Kano/Jigawa Command, Abbas Umar said his Command has made significant progress between January and June this year.

    “Since I assumed duty in February, 2014, the revenue collection in the Command has been rising steadily. Our revenue target for the year 2014 is N4.2 billion. So far, the Command has generated a total of N2,520,000,000 in the last seven months.

    “In percentage terms, it means we have realised 57 per cent of our revenue target when compared to N1,191,379,068.17, which was collected last year during the same period. Therefore, there is a remarkable improvement. Our successes, therefore, can be attributed to hard-work, dedication and commitments by our officers and men of the Command.”

    Nwosu said he was impressed at the level of progress made by the zone in terms of revenue generation and anti-smuggling activities, despite mounting security and other challenges facing the officers of the zone.

    He promised to ensure that the zone continues to receive needed logistics and other support from the headquarters, and urged officers and men of the zone to shore up their effort in the revenue generation and war against smugglers.

     

  • Calabar Port strategic to economy, says Minister

    President Goodluck Jonathan’s approval of  the dredging of the Calabar Ports has been described as vital not only to the economy, but also to the Southsouth and Southeast.

    The Minister for Transport, Senator Idris Umar, said this when he received a delegation of traditional rulers from the area, led by the Chairman of the Southsouth Monarchs Forum, King Edmund Dakoru.

    Umar disclosed the government’s plan to establish seaports in Badagry, Delta and other coastal towns. He said the Calabar Port is strategically important to the  two zones and the country.

    The country, the Minister said, has suffered enough neglect of its coastal waterways which are supposed to be  a veritable means of economic transformation.

    “With this dredging, the economic activities, especially within the two zones will spring up again, creating massive employment opportunities in the area and in the whole country,” he said.

    Umar said the creation of more ports was in line with the transformation agenda of the President,  adding that a maintenance firm has been appointed to manage the Calabar channel. He urged the private sector to fully tap into the inherent economic benefits.

    He lauded the President’s efforts in ensuring that life was brought back to hitherto comatose projects, such as railway system and inland waterways and assured that the Eastern rail line from Port-Harcourt -Maiduguri which is under rehabilitation would soon be completed.

    He thanked the rulers for expressing their gratitude to the President for the dredging of the Calabar Channel.

    King Dakoru, who led five first class rulers, said they had come to thank the government for the dredging of the Calabar seaport.

    Dakoru said the port would be of immense benefit to the erstwhile landlocked regions.

    Members of the delegation include HRM Eze Cletus l Ilomuamja- Obi of Obinugwu and Chairman, Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja-Jeki V, Amamyananabo of Opobo, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi, Obong of Calabar, HRM Alh Aliyu K Danesi-Aidonogie of South Ibie and Secretary, South-south Monarchs Forum and the Special Assistant (Special Duties) to the President, Dr Alfred Chiakor.

  • Customs generates N6.4b in six months

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone ‘B’, generated over N6.4 billion between January and June.

    The amount represents 74.51 per cent of the total revenue target of the command.

    The Customs zonal coordinator, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Ade Dosumu, said between January and June, the Zone generated N6,801,605,489.92, which is more  than N4,442,178,638.35 generated last year.

    Dosumu spoke when the Customs’ Deputy Comptroller-General in-charge of Research and Policy, Mr.  Augustine Chukwuma Nwosu, visited the zone.

    He told the visiting Customs chief that the Zone is strategic because of the vast area it covers, which has  inland container terminals, excise factories and international airports.

    The zone’s success, Dosumu said, followed the collaboration and good relationship with stakeholders; synergy with other security agencies; good relationship with the host communities; effective supervision and sensitisation of officers to avoid any form of revenue leakages.

    Added was introduction of Pre-Arrival Assessment Report, PAAR by the Controller-General, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi.

    “Despite its highly rated performance, Zone B of Nigeria Customs Service faces enormous challenges, which include the need for additional Customs Procedure Code (CPC) in some of the Area Commands within the Zone. Zone B also lacks the needed logistics to maintain scanning sites. Moreso, due to security challenges in the Zone, the revenue generation capacity is grossly affected.

    “Mob attacks on officers at dangerous borders within the Zone remain a threat to smooth operation, coupled with incessant strikes by insurgents in most areas covered by Zone B,” he said.

    He, however, said “despite daunting constraints, officers of the Zone have not been deterred in the pursuit of their statutory responsibilities.

    He added: “The officers and men of the Zone are so determined to pursue the goals of maximum revenue collection and suppression of smuggling with commitment in line with the efforts of the Comptroller-General of Customs and his management team.”

    Also, the Area Comptroller of Kano/Jigawa Command, Abbas Umar said his Command has made significant progress between January and June this year.

    “Since I assumed duty in February, 2014, the revenue collection in the Command has been rising steadily. Our revenue target for the year 2014 is N4.2 billion. So far, the Command has generated a total of N2,520,000,000 in the last seven months.

    “In percentage terms, it means we have realised 57 per cent of our revenue target when compared to N1,191,379,068.17, which was collected last year during the same period. Therefore, there is a remarkable improvement. Our successes, therefore, can be attributed to hard-work, dedication and commitments by our officers and men of the Command.”

    Nwosu said he was impressed at the level of progress made by the zone in terms of revenue generation and anti-smuggling activities, despite mounting security and other challenges facing the officers of the zone.

    He promised to ensure that the zone continues to receive needed logistics and other support from the headquarters, and urged officers and men of the zone to shore up their effort in the revenue generation and war against smugglers.

  • Nigeria spends N3.6tr on salt import

    The global salt market is on the rise and it is expected to hit 338.5 million metric tonnes in two years.

    Nigeria, it was gathered, spent N3.6 trillion on bulk salt in the last 10 years.

    Findings showed that Nigeria imported 171,020 metric tonnes of salt through the Lagos Port Complex and Tin-Can Island Porton the past one year.

    This week, Greenview Development Nigeria Limited (GDNL), a subsidiary of Dangote Group, will take delivery of 26,200 metric tonnes of the commodity from the vessel MV Volume at the Lagos Port Complex.  Last month, two vessels, MV Safmarine Shaba and MV Punta discharged 41,100 metric tonnes and 5,000 metric tonnes of the essential comodity respectively at Lagos Port.

    About 25,620 metric tonne of salt was delivered at GDNL in March.

    Report by Analyst, TechNavio’s, said one of the key factors contributing to the salt market growth was the increasing demand from the Chemical processing industry in Nigeria and other African countries.

    Other consumers of the commodity, he said, are those in tanneries, food beverages, paper and pulp and bottling industries.

    Statistics revealed that in the last one year, the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa Bulk terminal took delivery of 8,000 metric tonnes from MV Stylani 2 while MV Gemini Pioneer discharged 34,000 metric tonnes at Greenview Development Nigeria Limited.

    At Tin-Can Island Port.

    About16,000 metric tonnes was bulked out from MV Kaiti Hill while  MV Marine Prince discharged15,100 metric tonnes at Josepdam terminal at Tincan.

    Despite the huge deposit of the commodity in some parts of the country, it investigation revealed that the country imported over $23 billion ( N3.6 trillion ) of bulk salt in the last 10 years.

    Data from Nigerian Bureau of Statistics also revealed that Nigeria has a reserve of about 1.5 million tonnes identified at Awe in Plateau State, Abakaliki and Uburu in Ebonyi State.  Also, large deposits of rock salt are in Benue State.

    Research indicates that Ghana’s Songhor Salt Project in the Accra Region has the potential of producing over 150,000 tonnes of the mineral annually.

    Nigeria represents the biggest regional market for Ghana’s salt, but currently importing high quality salt from Brazil.

  • NIMASA acquires equipment to fight oil theft, piracy

    NIMASA acquires equipment to fight oil theft, piracy

    • Air Force, Navy join battle

    The game is up for oil thieves and pirates operating on the nation’s territorial waters. The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has acquired a surveillance equipment for monitoring illegal activities on the maritime corridor.

    NIMASA will operate the equipment in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Navy. They are collaborating to curb oil theft, piracy and other criminalities, The Nation has learnt.

    More than 5,000 international ships ply the territorial waters  yearly. Some of the vessels, sources said, violate international laws by engaging in illegal activities.

    The Airf Force has acquired three maritime 128-6, F27 and ATR-42-500 jets and other planes to monitor the activities of oil thieves and other criminals.

    The high-tech plane ATR-42-500 jet is one of the seven to be operated by NIMASA and the Air Force.

    According to Air Force Sergeant Sunday Olalekan Omotosho, the plane is fitted with sensors, radar and Electro-Optic Surveillance and Tracking (EOST) equipment, which houses three cameras to monitor ships in Nigerian waters. “When fully operational, no vessel can escape our coverage,” he told reporters before a demonstration flight from Lagos to Escravos in the Niger Delta and over offshore platforms in the oil-producing Southeast.

    The 20-seat plane can fly as low as 200 feet (60 metres) above the sea and passes on information about maritime traffic to the navy, who can intervene with fast-attack craft if necessary, he added.

    “Our aim is to fight all manner of maritime crimes in the country. With this aircraft, we can spot any vessel hundreds of kilometres (miles) away,” said Group Captain Enobong Eneh Effiom.

    The aircraft is inscribed with the words: “Vigilance over the ocean.”

    NIMASA’s Director, Shipping Development, Captain Warred Enisuoh, who led the NIMASA team during an air tour, explained that the cameras installed in the planes function well at night based on their high powered lights.

    He said the nation loses 200,000 barrels of crude oil to stealing daily.

    “For any sustainable and meaningful growth in the maritime sector, a robust maritime domain awareness system is inevitable. NIMASA has, therefore, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force to enhance water patrol and aerial surveillance of Nigeria’s maritime domain.

    “Our collaboration with the Air force will assist NIMASA in tackling the challenges of large and unrestricted navigational areas, small and non-cooperative objects taking advantage of the dense maritime activity to conceal their actions and it would also protect the ports and ships against attacks,” Enisuoh said.

    He said the agency is striving to ensure that the government and security agencies have access to accurate, comprehensive and up-to-the-minute situation data of the vessel traffic at sea.

    The jets, it was learnt, were built in France and equipped in Italy with radars, cameras and other security gargets.

    It was gathered that the Navy  has also acquired an equipment called Regional Maritime Awareness Capability Centre (RMAC) to aid the fight against oil theft.

    The equipment, findings showed, was imported from Japan for about N2 billion. It has high-frequency radio and long-range cameras, capable of spotting ships up to 48 kilometres away on the water.

    “From the domain awareness centre, we can see ships from anywhere in the world coming or leaving our maritime space. It also gives us the ability to ascertain the actual threat the vessel poses,” the official said.

    The idea for the tripartite collaboration, a source said, started about two years ago when the Director-General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, spoke of a faster maritime safety and security network.

    It was learnt that NIMASA sought the help of the Air Force when it discovered that the war against pirates was complicated.

    With the equipment in the planes, NIMASA can monitor even the “unusual movement of vessels” at sea and keep their records, the source said, adding that Air Force officers on board will help in NIMASA’s maritime safety operations, including search-and-rescue (SAR) mission and environmental protection.

    The jets, it was learnt, draw on the latest technology to provide a reliable, round-the-clock monitoring.

  • Ebola: Customs not taking chances, says Comptroller

    The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is not leaving anything to chance in fight against the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    The Area Controller, Comptroller Willy Egbudin, has said the Command would ensure adequate security at the border to prevent foreigners from bringing in the virus.

    Speaking with The Nation, he said the Command was mindful of the  health and security challenges in the country, adding that, it has beefed up security to ensure that there is no economic sabotage, or lapses that could lead to the spread of the virus through the border.

    Egbudin said he had instructed his officers to be extra vigilant, stressing that efforts were being intensified by border health officials to contain the disease.

    The command, he said, had sensitised the people of the area, adding: “There are no serious challenges in carrying out Customs duties as officers and men are effectively providing the services as constitutionally required to satisfy all the traders and importers around the border.”

    He said the Command was interfacing with other security agencies and stakeholders to maintain peace and security, stressing that there was no cause for alarm with the 24- hour security checks embarked upon by the Command

    On smuggling, he said efforts were being intensified to create more platforms for talks involving Customs, leaders of the border communities and the youth to reduce smuggling through intelligence gathering and information sharing.

    Some of the youth who have abandoned the illicit trade, he said, were acting as sources of information to arrest smugglers.

    Egbudin said his officers and other security agents were working together  to secure the country and promote the growth of the economy.

    He solicited more co-operation with security agents and stakeholders by the border communities in the fight against Ebola.

  • Customs loses over N25b to duty waivers

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) lost over N25.8 billion to waivers and exemption between January and May, The Nation has learnt.

    The Federal Government was said to have granted the waivers and exemptions to mining, construction, power, agriculture and health concerns.

    Sources said the Customs was unable to collect the revenue on the items on which there were  waivers, adding that it lost N55.96 billion, N55.34 billion and N59.42 billion to import waivers in 2011, 2012 and last year.

    But, an official of the Ministry of Finance, who asked not to be named, said the Federal Government granted the waivers because of the need to improve the agriculture/mining sectors and medical services, in addition to increasing power generation, promoting family planning, and raising the standard of education.

    A source said Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited got N10.5 billion waiver, it is the highest beneficiary.

    A breakdown of the amount, it was learnt, showed that N6.96 billion was waived for Indorama on machinery, equipment and spare parts; the balance was waived on fertiliser catalysts and chemical pile.

    Chevron Nigeria Limited is the second highest beneficiary with N4.87 billion waived on machinery, equipment and pipelines; followed by Galaxy Backbone, with N2.49 billion on Information and Communications Technology equipment.

    United Cement Company of Nigeria and NIPCO Plc also got waivers of N1.91 billion and N1.02 billion for the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts.

    Other major beneficiaries are the Borno State Government, which got N984.79 million waiver for agricultural machinery; the Globe Motors for 290 units of motor vehicles used during the World Economic Forum; and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without borders), N568 million for medical supplies.

    Justifying the waivers, the official said they were incentives used to support the private sector because of some of the regulatory challenges in the domestic business environment.

    According to him, the sectors that benefited from waivers are hospitality, power, aviation, agricultural machinery, solid minerals equipment, gas-using equipment, steel and manufacturing.

    “There are also additional programmes, such as the Export Expansion Grant Scheme designed to promote non-oil exports. These sectors are seen as strategic areas, which can stimulate growth, support diversification of the Nigerian economy, and create jobs for Nigerians.

    “In the past, waivers were granted to individual businesses in an approach that resulted in rent-seeking behaviours and an uneven playing field for other businesses. It was precisely the need to stop such a discretionary approach that led to reforms by the Economic Management Team under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “A sector-wide waiver policy was introduced to provide specific incentives for some strategic, job-creating sectors. Under this regime, all businesses in a sector have access to the same incentives.

    “In addition, some waivers and exemptions make up for gaps in our economy; for example, waivers to bring in vehicles for sporting events and conferences,” the official said.

    When asked to speak on the implication of the waivers on the amounts that should go to the Federation Account and the seven per cent revenue that must accrue to Customs, he said: “We have to weigh the balance between putting money into the Federation Account, collecting Customs revenues and providing jobs for the army of the youth in the country by providing the necessary incentives to private sector operators to stimulate growth and development. The government felt it has responsibility to perform in terms of job creation and see to the local production of some of the goods we consume as nation.”

  • Nigeria spends N3.6tr on salt import

    The global salt market is on the increase. It is expected to reach 338.5 million metric tonnes in two years.

    Nigeria, it was gathered, spent N3.6 trillion on bulk salt in the last 10 years.

    Findings showed that Nigeria imported 171,020 metric tonnes of salt through the Lagos Port Complex and Tin-Can Island Porton the past one year.

    This week, Greenview Development Nigeria Limited (GDNL), a subsidiary of Dangote Group, will take delivery of 26,200 metric tonnes of the commodity from the vessel MV Volume at the Lagos Port Complex.  Last month, two vessels, MV Safmarine Shaba and MV Punta discharged 41,100 metric tonnes and 5,000 metric tonnes of the essential comodity respectively at Lagos Port.

    About 25,620 metric tonne of salt was delivered at GDNL in March.

    Report by Analyst, TechNavio’s, said one of the key factors contributing to the salt market growth was the increasing demand from the Chemical processing industry in Nigeria and other African countries.

    Other consumers of the commodity, he said, are those in tanneries, food beverages, paper and pulp and bottling industries.

    Statistics revealed that in the last one year, the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa Bulk terminal took delivery of 8,000 metric tonnes from MV Stylani 2 while MV Gemini Pioneer discharged 34,000 metric tonnes at Greenview Development Nigeria Limited.

    At Tin-Can Island Port.

    About16,000 metric tonnes was bulked out from MV Kaiti Hill while  MV Marine Prince discharged15,100 metric tonnes at Josepdam terminal at Tincan.

    Despite the huge deposit of the commodity in some parts of the country, it investigation revealed that the country imported over $23 billion ( N3.6 trillion ) of bulk salt in the last 10 years.

    Data from Nigerian Bureau of Statistics also revealed that Nigeria has a reserve of about 1.5 million tonnes identified at Awe in Plateau State, Abakaliki and Uburu in Ebonyi State.  Also, large deposits of rock salt are in Benue State.

    Research indicates that Ghana’s Songhor Salt Project in the Accra Region has the potential of producing over 150,000 tonnes of the mineral annually.

    Nigeria represents the biggest regional market for Ghana’s salt, but currently importing high quality salt from Brazil.